'Want to thank the mother for being brave': Firefighters reflect on first use of Racine's Safe Haven Baby Box

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- For the first time in Wisconsin history, a baby was dropped off at a Safe Haven Baby Box in Racine.

"We were just in total shock and awe," said Marco Ostricki, a firefighter with the Racine Fire Department.

What started off as a typical day at Racine Fire Department Station 4 turned into a life-changing one for a small baby girl.

"I kind of froze for a split second, because I had to take in what was going on," said Ostricki.

Ostricki was on duty at the firehouse on Oct. 16 when he saw someone approach their Safe Haven Baby Box just after noon.

“I look out the window, and I see someone walking towards the box. Initially, I didn’t really think of anything of it, but then I saw the outside door to the box open and knew this is a big thing happening."

The box provides a safe and anonymous way for people in need to legally surrender their baby. Ostricki says once the baby girl was put in the box, he and the rest of the crew were alerted and jumped into action.

"From there, we just take a breath and then go do what we have to do,” said Aaron San Juan, firefighter with the Racine Fire Department.

Ostricki says he grabbed the baby and passed her along to the department's medical team, who assessed her and took her to the hospital.

"They hand it over to us, immediately take her to the back of the ambulance and we’re continuing the assessment," said San Juan. "Seeing if she's breathing, looking at her activity level, making sure she’s crying, and happy to hear the cry."

The department's Safe Haven Box was just installed last December and is one of seven in the state of Wisconsin.

"I want to thank the mother for being brave enough to do something like that," said Ostricki. "Make sure the baby is in a safe situation."

The founder of Safe Haven Baby Box says thanks to that installment and the quick action of the department, that newborn is safe and with a new family that will be adopting her.

It's a moment the team says they will never forget.

"It’s going to stick with me for the rest of my career," said Ostricki. "I think any chance we have to be a part of something like that is very cool and very eye-opening."